"Sugraone and Red Globe are the most popular varieties"Chile redirects grape exports from Europe to the U.S. and Asia

"At this time of the year, the most demanded varieties are the Sugraone and Red Globe," explains Estrella Miralles, Commercial Director of Uvasdoce. "During the Spanish grape season the most popular varieties in Spain are the Ideal and Red Globe, and the Crimson overseas."

European consumers increasingly prefer seedless grapes, although it is a little different in Spain.

"In Europe, the most consumed grapes are seedless varieties, with Red Globe being one of the few varieties with seeds they accept. However, in Spain the most traditional varieties with seeds (Victoria, Ideal, Aledo, Red Globe) are still the most popular ones. France and Italy are the countries where some of the Spanish grapes with seeds are consumed," explains Estrella Miralles.

Uvasdoce is a producer, exporter and importer of table grapes based in Monforte del Cid, in the Spanish province of Alicante, one of the regions with the longest grape growing tradition in Europe.

Production of Spanish grapes finished in late December, but the firm continues supplying grapes by importing them from countries in both hemispheres, therefore offering South African and Chilean Crimson; South African Flame; Namibian, South African, Chilean and Peruvian Sugraone; Peruvian, South African and Chilean Thompson; Peruvian and South African Red Globe and South African Victoria.

From January to June, Uvasdoce focuses on the Spanish and French markets. The national varieties are exported to Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, South Africa, Poland, Portugal and Germany, besides Spain, generally labelled with the UVASDOCE brand, although in some cases with the clients' own brands.

Regarding packaging, Estrella affirms that the national market still prefers loose grapes or boxes of 5 or 10 kg. "Some supermarkets also prepare boxes of 1.5 and 2 kg, and trays of 0.5 kg, but loose grapes are still the most popular. However, in other countries, especially of central and northern Europe, smaller formats are preferred."

At the same time, countries like Brazil, Chile or Peru have growing economies, which is leading to an improvement in their living standards. Consequently, the demand for quality products, like grapes is on the rise. "The increase of local demand in those countries has an impact on our imports, increasing prices and reducing their availability in Europe," explains Alfredo Miralles, Manager of Uvasdoce.

Chile's exports towards Europe are smaller every year because they are finding better opportunities in the Asian and North American markets. "We believe that besides Asia, which is a growing market with good opportunities in terms of prices, they are also finding better prices in North America. Shipping times to these continents are shorter; this, added to the recession Europe is suffering, is making these markets a lot more attractive," affirms Alfredo.